changing front and rear differential gears

[dangerranger10]

Ok so i have a 86 Ranger 4 wheel drive 5 speed with a 2.9L V6 and I use it as my work truck. I mean I'm always pulling a trailer or something with it but I have one problem. The gear ratios in it are 3.45 gears and it is too hard to keep it running without constantly clutching it. I am wondering about putting either 3.73 gears or 4.10 gears in it. I drive a toyota for work that has 4.11 gears and it seams ok. I want the truck to be able to idle around in at least 1st gear without me having to either hold my foot on the throttle or ride the clutch but I still want it to be able to run pretty fast. So would you reccomend 4.10 gears or 3.73 gears more?

 

[nate09]

2.9 V6 and fast just dont go together. 3:73's likely wouldnt be enough of a jump to make a difference, 4:10's would work.

 

[4x4junkie]

The 2.9L is 140HP. That's enough to go pretty fast... though you do have to be geared correctly, which 3.45 isn't lol.

What size are the tires on your truck?

 

[joeranger85]

you won't even notice a difference going from the 3.45's to the 3.73's.....if you really are going to do this....start with the 4.10's....your gas milage will be effected if you drive it much down the road.....but you would notice the 4.10's....

just my 2c.

 

[strvger]

i went with 4.56's on my '83. best mod i've done, so far. with my carb'd 2.8, i'm getting 21mpg cruising at about 63-65mph on the freeway. my tires are skinny 31" at's. it will go faster, but that really isn't my style most of the time. as long as your going into your axles, might consider a locker for the rear. really love my Detroit. probably the 2nd best mod done so far. just my $.02.

 

[holyford86]

I just went to 4.56 gears in my '86, with 33 inch tires and a 6" lift it pushes it around just fine and the mileage is about 17.5-18. I used to have 31 inch tires and 4.10 gears running stock suspension, I got about 19.5-20 mpg then. The 3.45 gears that came stock might have worked well for the 195-75r15 tires that came stock, but for anything bigger, they did not work well.

 

[Explorin94]

you won't even notice a difference going from the 3.45's to the 3.73's.....if you really are going to do this....start with the 4.10's....your gas milage will be effected if you drive it much down the road.....but you would notice the 4.10's....

just my 2c.

X2

 

[88_Eddie]

what axles do you have? i'll soon have an extra set of 3.73's for a 7.5/d28, plus a l/s from the 7.5